they'll hurt our economy. they'll raise the unemployment rate, and the reason is because congress has not been able to compromise on a deficit reduction package that's more sensible. >> joining me now michelle ber in order, democratic strategyist, patty doyle, and my nbc colleague at the white house, kristen walker. welcome all. kristen, i want to put up the map of, we'll show you everybody where the president spoke yesterday in these local interviews, from boston. there was definitely a pattern here, honolulu, big military town. they clearly believe this p.r. strategy's going to work even because they say it worked the last time, right? >> right. that is the strategy, to put public pressure on congress to get something done, but at this point in time, it doesn't seem like it's working. right, not scheduling meetings, haven't had any read-outs of any meetings, trying to get a sense of if that's going to come. doesn't seem like the president's going to be picking up the phone at this point in time. it does seem